Nine years ago, a 2-year-old Long Island toddler named Kyra Franchetti was shot to death by her father during an unsupervised, court-ordered visit in Virginia. What makes this tragedy especially horrifying is that it wasn’t unexpected. Kyra’s mother had repeatedly begged the court to protect Kyra from her father’s suicidal threats, abuse, rage and coercive control. 

A bill named after Kyra and sponsored by New York state Sen. James Skoufis and Assemblyman Andrew Hevesi would require courts to evaluate safety risks before granting visitation rights. 

Importantly, the bill does not alter the “best interests of the child” legal standard. It will simply require that facts already in evidence be considered before a parent is allowed unsupervised visits. 

Kyra’s mom, Jacqueline Franchetti, discussed Kyra’s death and legacy with Capital Tonight.